Expert thought

In view of the restrictive 2018 Luhansk People’s Republic statute, it is not surprising that some groups declined to apply for registration, while others were refused. The result is that many religious communities find themselves outside the law…. the 48 Baptist Union congregations have had to cease their activity altogether.

Religious Studies

In the context of recent events in the Orthodox world, disputes over the boundaries of church institutions often arise between the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Kyiv and Moscow. Ukraine accuses Russia of misappropriating the territory of the Kyiv Metropolis. In its turn, Moscow appeals to the fact that the ancient Kyiv Metropolis differs from the territory of modern Ukraine. RISU decided to clarify this topic, getting advice from historians. Based on this research, we prepared an infographic.

The first question that arises concerning Ukraine is this: with what right and based on which holy canons, does Russia today claim the ecclesiastical and administrative dependency of the Metropolis of Kyiv?

Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Odesa-Simferopol, Bishop Jacek Pyl, February 26, called on all believers and non-believers “to refrain from extremism, and in these difficult times not to allow the fraternal bond between people living in the Crimea to break.” In response to the tense situation in Crimea, the bishop urged the faithful “not to stop praying for peace and called on those who can to fast voluntarily.”

“In our prayers we remember all Crimeans, regardless of religion, background, or political views. We pray that the people, who for decades lived in peace, do not lift hands against each other; we pray to prevent the bloodshed that occurred on Kyiv. I urge all believers and non-believers in the name of solidarity with the legacy of our parents who cared about the development of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to refrain from extremism, and in these difficult times not to allow the fraternal bond between people living in Crime to break,” reads his statement, which was circulated by CREDO.

The bishop noted that Ukrainians, Russians, Crimean Tatars, and people of Armenian, Polish, German, Czech, and other roots live alongside one another in Crimea.

“Orthodox, Muslims, Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Karaites, representatives of other faiths and non-believers have lived together peacefully on the peninsula for centuries – and today we will not allow our origin or religion divide us. We are children of the one God, who is our Father. Crimea’s motto, which is written on its coat of arms, is ‘Prosperity in unity.’ Let us not forget this motto in these difficult times,” says the bishop.